Three Britons jailed in Eygpt

Three Britons have been jailed for five years in Cairo on charges of trying to revive an outlawed Islamic group.

Ian Malcolm Nisbet, Maajid Nawaz and Reza Pankhurst were among a group of 26 people first arrested in Egypt in April 2002.

Following the sentencing, all 26 burst into shouts of "God is Great, thanks be to God!"

All the defendants were accused of attempting to revive Hizb-ut-Tahrir -- or Islamic Liberation Party -- which was banned by the government after an alleged failed coup in 1974.

Sentences ranged from one to five years, but all three Britons were given five years.

"We're not sad," said Nisbet, 29, who now goes by the name of Yehiya Nisbet. "We've always known that they're oppressors. Now they are confirming that.

"Thank God for everything. We hope God is going to award us in the afterlife. We tried to change oppression in Egypt. Now, they are admitting that they are oppressors."

Nisbet's British wife, Humayra, who does not understand Arabic, started crying quietly when he indicated his sentence by holding up his hand with all five fingers extended.

Later, she held his hand through the bars of the prisoners' cage in the courtroom.

One of the 26 was convicted in absentia.

Most watched News videos